A game changing device in the Android world, the renowned GPU designer Nvidia released their portable Shield gaming console in part to showcase the power of the mobile Tegra 4 chipset. Now, this handheld micro console joins the ranks of the many other devices to have KitKat available for them.

However, this update brings more than just Google’s break-me-off-a-piece-of-that-Android-bar to the Shield. Nvidia upgraded several of the Shield’s unique features. GameStream, which allows you to stream PC games over your home WiFi network, has been upgraded to allow you to stream from certain GeForce-powered laptops. They have also introduced Remote GameStream, which is currently in Beta. Remote GameStream allows you to stream from your computer over the world wide intertubes. There are pieces included that improve this functionality, such as being able to wake up computers through Shield.

That’s not the only feature that they have improved. In the past if you wanted to connect your Shield to your television, you could connect a Bluetooth controller and play your Shield Games on the big screen using console mode. This feature has been improved to add support for Bluetooth keyboards and mice, which is almost certainly Nvidia’s way of competing with devices such as the Mad Catz M.O.J.O. You can now also charge your Shield while using Ethernet in Console Mode with a micro USB Host OTG Y cable.

Finally, there are some enhancements to TegraZone and the Gamepad Mapper. There is one big caveat that anyone considering this update should be aware of. The Shield comes with 16 GB of storage and that can get filled up quickly with huge games—I’m looking at you, Asphalt 8 and GTA! The solution has always been to get a huge microSD card and move applications to external storage. In the past, we’ve talked about how KitKat changes the way in which SD cards are handled. However, NVidia says this option still works. But now, you cannot browse your SD card using apps like ES File Explorer. Read more about their warnings here.

The update is available in wide release, so hammer your update button and enjoy your KitKat update. Then be sure to head over to the Nvidia Shield forum to share your experiences!

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As the resident token curmudgeon Senior Moderator of the XDA Forums, get off his lawn. Member of XDA since the Windows Mobile days Jimmy McGee heads up the YouTube channel for XDA dubbed XDA TV. Technology Geek by trade and security analyst by training, he has a lot to say about things found on the internet, some of which can be safely ignored.

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